DN 31

Siṅgālasutta

Evaṁ me sutaṁ— ekaṁ samayaṁ bhagavā rājagahe viharati veḷuvane kalandakanivāpe. Tena kho pana samayena siṅgālako gahapatiputto kālasseva uṭṭhāya rājagahā nikkhamitvā allavattho allakeso pañjaliko puthudisā namassati— puratthimaṁ disaṁ dakkhiṇaṁ disaṁ pacchimaṁ disaṁ uttaraṁ disaṁ heṭṭhimaṁ disaṁ uparimaṁ disaṁ.

Advice to Sigālaka

So I have heard. At one time the Buddha was staying near Rājagaha in the Bamboo Grove, the squirrels’ feeding ground. Now at that time the householder’s son Sigālaka rose early and left Rājagaha. With his clothes and hair all wet, he raised his cupped palms to revere the various quarters— east, south, west, north, below, and above.

Atha kho bhagavā pubbaṇhasamayaṁ nivāsetvā pattacīvaramādāya rājagahaṁ piṇḍāya pāvisi. Addasā kho bhagavā siṅgālakaṁ gahapatiputtaṁ kālasseva vuṭṭhāya rājagahā nikkhamitvā allavatthaṁ allakesaṁ pañjalikaṁ puthudisā namassantaṁ— puratthimaṁ disaṁ dakkhiṇaṁ disaṁ pacchimaṁ disaṁ uttaraṁ disaṁ heṭṭhimaṁ disaṁ uparimaṁ disaṁ. Disvā siṅgālakaṁ gahapatiputtaṁ etadavoca: “kiṁ nu kho tvaṁ, gahapatiputta, kālasseva vuṭṭhāya rājagahā nikkhamitvā allavattho allakeso pañjaliko puthudisā namassasi— puratthimaṁ disaṁ dakkhiṇaṁ disaṁ pacchimaṁ disaṁ uttaraṁ disaṁ heṭṭhimaṁ disaṁ uparimaṁ disan”ti? “Pitā maṁ, bhante, kālaṁ karonto evaṁ avaca: ‘disā, tāta, namasseyyāsī’ti. So kho ahaṁ, bhante, pituvacanaṁ sakkaronto garuṁ karonto mānento pūjento kālasseva uṭṭhāya rājagahā nikkhamitvā allavattho allakeso pañjaliko puthudisā namassāmi— puratthimaṁ disaṁ dakkhiṇaṁ disaṁ pacchimaṁ disaṁ uttaraṁ disaṁ heṭṭhimaṁ disaṁ uparimaṁ disan”ti. “Na kho, gahapatiputta, ariyassa vinaye evaṁ cha disā namassitabbā”ti. “Yathā kathaṁ pana, bhante, ariyassa vinaye cha disā namassitabbā? Sādhu me, bhante, bhagavā tathā dhammaṁ desetu, yathā ariyassa vinaye cha disā namassitabbā”ti. “Tena hi, gahapatiputta, suṇohi sādhukaṁ manasikarohi bhāsissāmī”ti. “Evaṁ, bhante”ti kho siṅgālako gahapatiputto bhagavato paccassosi. Bhagavā etadavoca:

Then the Buddha robed up in the morning and, taking his bowl and robe, entered Rājagaha for alms. He saw Sigālaka revering the various quarters and said to him, “Householder’s son, why are you revering the various quarters in this way?” “Sir, on his deathbed my father said to me: ‘My dear, please revere the quarters.’ Honoring, respecting, and venerating my father’s words, I rose early and left Rājagaha and, with my clothes and hair all wet, raised my cupped palms to revere the various quarters— east, south, west, north, below, and above.” “Householder’s son, that’s not how the six directions should be revered in the training of the Noble One.” “But sir, how should the six directions be revered in the training of the Noble One? Sir, please teach me this.” “Well then, householder’s son, listen and apply your mind well, I will speak.” “Yes, sir,” replied Sigālaka. The Buddha said this:

“Yato kho, gahapatiputta, ariyasāvakassa cattāro kammakilesā pahīnā honti, catūhi ca ṭhānehi pāpakammaṁ na karoti, cha ca bhogānaṁ apāyamukhāni na sevati, so evaṁ cuddasa pāpakāpagato chaddisāpaṭicchādī ubholokavijayāya paṭipanno hoti. Tassa ayañceva loko āraddho hoti paro ca loko. So kāyassa bhedā paraṁ maraṇā sugatiṁ saggaṁ lokaṁ upapajjati. Katamassa cattāro kammakilesā pahīnā honti? Pāṇātipāto kho, gahapatiputta, kammakileso, adinnādānaṁ kammakileso, kāmesumicchācāro kammakileso, musāvādo kammakileso. Imassa cattāro kammakilesā pahīnā hontī”ti. Idamavoca bhagavā. Idaṁ vatvāna sugato athāparaṁ etadavoca satthā:

“Householder’s son, a noble disciple gives up four corrupt deeds, doesn’t do bad deeds on four grounds, and avoids six drains on wealth. When they’ve left these fourteen bad things behind they have the six directions covered. They’re practicing to win in both worlds, and they succeed in this world and the next. When their body breaks up, after death, they’re reborn in a good place, a heavenly realm. What four corrupt deeds have they given up? Killing living creatures, stealing, sexual misconduct, and lying: these are corrupt deeds. These are the four corrupt deeds they’ve given up.” That is what the Buddha said. Then the Holy One, the Teacher, went on to say:

“Pāṇātipāto adinnādānaṁ, Musāvādo ca vuccati; Paradāragamanañceva, Nappasaṁsanti paṇḍitā”ti.

“Killing, stealing, telling lies, and committing adultery: astute people don’t praise these things.”

3. Catuṭhānaṁ

“Katamehi catūhi ṭhānehi pāpakammaṁ na karoti? Chandāgatiṁ gacchanto pāpakammaṁ karoti, dosāgatiṁ gacchanto pāpakammaṁ karoti, mohāgatiṁ gacchanto pāpakammaṁ karoti, bhayāgatiṁ gacchanto pāpakammaṁ karoti. Yato kho, gahapatiputta, ariyasāvako neva chandāgatiṁ gacchati, na dosāgatiṁ gacchati, na mohāgatiṁ gacchati, na bhayāgatiṁ gacchati; imehi catūhi ṭhānehi pāpakammaṁ na karotī”ti. Idamavoca bhagavā. Idaṁ vatvāna sugato athāparaṁ etadavoca satthā:

3. Four Grounds

“On what four grounds do they not do bad deeds? One does bad deeds prejudiced by favoritism, hostility, stupidity, and cowardice. When a noble disciple is not prejudiced by favoritism, hostility, stupidity, and cowardice, they don’t do bad deeds on these four grounds.” That is what the Buddha said. Then the Holy One, the Teacher, went on to say:

“Chandā dosā bhayā mohā, yo dhammaṁ ativattati; Nihīyati yaso tassa, kāḷapakkheva candimā. Chandā dosā bhayā mohā, yo dhammaṁ nātivattati; Āpūrati yaso tassa, sukkapakkheva candimā”ti.

“If you act against the teaching out of favoritism, hostility, cowardice, or stupidity, your fame shrinks, like the moon in the waning fortnight. If you don’t act against the teaching out of favoritism, hostility, cowardice, and stupidity, your fame swells, like the moon in the waxing fortnight.”

4. Cha apāyamukhāni

“Katamāni cha bhogānaṁ apāyamukhāni na sevati? Surāmerayamajjappamādaṭṭhānānuyogo kho, gahapatiputta, bhogānaṁ apāyamukhaṁ, vikālavisikhācariyānuyogo bhogānaṁ apāyamukhaṁ, samajjābhicaraṇaṁ bhogānaṁ apāyamukhaṁ, jūtappamādaṭṭhānānuyogo bhogānaṁ apāyamukhaṁ, pāpamittānuyogo bhogānaṁ apāyamukhaṁ, ālasyānuyogo bhogānaṁ apāyamukhaṁ.

4. Six Drains on Wealth

“What six drains on wealth do they avoid? Habitually engaging in the following things is a drain on wealth: beer, wine, and liquor intoxicants; roaming the street markets at night; frequenting festivals; gambling; bad friends; laziness.

5. Surāmerayassa cha ādīnavā

Cha khome, gahapatiputta, ādīnavā surāmerayamajjappamādaṭṭhānānuyoge. Sandiṭṭhikā dhanajāni, kalahappavaḍḍhanī, rogānaṁ āyatanaṁ, akittisañjananī, kopīnanidaṁsanī, paññāya dubbalikaraṇītveva chaṭṭhaṁ padaṁ bhavati. Ime kho, gahapatiputta, cha ādīnavā surāmerayamajjappamādaṭṭhānānuyoge.

5. Six Drawbacks of Drinking

There are these six drawbacks of habitually consuming intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor. Immediate loss of wealth, promotion of quarrels, susceptibility to illness, disrepute, indecent exposure; and weakened wisdom is the sixth thing. These are the six drawbacks of habitually consuming intoxicants of beer, wine, and liquor.

6. Vikālacariyāya cha ādīnavā

Cha khome, gahapatiputta, ādīnavā vikālavisikhācariyānuyoge. Attāpissa agutto arakkhito hoti, puttadāropissa agutto arakkhito hoti, sāpateyyampissa aguttaṁ arakkhitaṁ hoti, saṅkiyo ca hoti pāpakesu ṭhānesu, abhūtavacanañca tasmiṁ rūhati, bahūnañca dukkhadhammānaṁ purakkhato hoti. Ime kho, gahapatiputta, cha ādīnavā vikālavisikhācariyānuyoge.

6. Six Drawbacks of Roaming the Street Markets at Night

There are these six drawbacks of roaming the street markets at night. Yourself, your partners and children, and your property are all left unguarded. You’re suspected of bad deeds. Untrue rumors spread about you. You’re at the forefront of many things that entail suffering. These are the six drawbacks of roaming the street markets at night.

7. Samajjābhicaraṇassa cha ādīnavā

Cha khome, gahapatiputta, ādīnavā samajjābhicaraṇe. Kva naccaṁ, kva gītaṁ, kva vāditaṁ, kva akkhānaṁ, kva pāṇissaraṁ, kva kumbhathunanti. Ime kho, gahapatiputta, cha ādīnavā samajjābhicaraṇe.

7. Six Drawbacks of Festivals

There are these six drawbacks of frequenting festivals. You’re always thinking: ‘Where’s the dancing? Where’s the singing? Where’s the music? Where are the stories? Where’s the applause? Where are the kettledrums?’ These are the six drawbacks of frequenting festivals.

8. Jūtappamādassa cha ādīnavā

Cha khome, gahapatiputta, ādīnavā jūtappamādaṭṭhānānuyoge. Jayaṁ veraṁ pasavati, jino vittamanusocati, sandiṭṭhikā dhanajāni, sabhāgatassa vacanaṁ na rūhati, mittāmaccānaṁ paribhūto hoti, āvāhavivāhakānaṁ apatthito hoti: ‘akkhadhutto ayaṁ purisapuggalo nālaṁ dārabharaṇāyā’ti. Ime kho, gahapatiputta, cha ādīnavā jūtappamādaṭṭhānānuyoge.

8. Six Drawbacks of Gambling

There are these six drawbacks of habitually gambling. Victory breeds enmity. The loser mourns their money. There is immediate loss of wealth. A gambler’s word carries no weight in public assembly. Friends and colleagues treat them with contempt. And no one wants to marry a gambler, for they think: ‘This individual is a gambler—they’re not able to support a partner.’ These are the six drawbacks of habitually gambling.

9. Pāpamittatāya cha ādīnavā

Cha khome, gahapatiputta, ādīnavā pāpamittānuyoge. Ye dhuttā, ye soṇḍā, ye pipāsā, ye nekatikā, ye vañcanikā, ye sāhasikā. Tyāssa mittā honti te sahāyā. Ime kho, gahapatiputta, cha ādīnavā pāpamittānuyoge.

9. Six Drawbacks of Bad Friends

There are these six drawbacks of bad friends. You become friends and companions with those who are addicts, carousers, drunkards, frauds, swindlers, and thugs. These are the six drawbacks of bad friends.

10. Ālasyassa cha ādīnavā

Cha khome, gahapatiputta, ādīnavā ālasyānuyoge. Atisītanti kammaṁ na karoti, atiuṇhanti kammaṁ na karoti, atisāyanti kammaṁ na karoti, atipātoti kammaṁ na karoti, atichātosmīti kammaṁ na karoti, atidhātosmīti kammaṁ na karoti. Tassa evaṁ kiccāpadesabahulassa viharato anuppannā ceva bhogā nuppajjanti, uppannā ca bhogā parikkhayaṁ gacchanti. Ime kho, gahapatiputta, cha ādīnavā ālasyānuyoge”ti. Idamavoca bhagavā. Idaṁ vatvāna sugato athāparaṁ etadavoca satthā:

10. Six Drawbacks of Laziness

There are these six drawbacks of habitual laziness. You don’t get your work done because you think: ‘It’s too cold! It’s too hot. It’s too late! It’s too early! I’m too hungry! I’m too full!’ By dwelling on so many excuses for not working, you don’t make any more money, and the money you already have runs out. These are the six drawbacks of habitual laziness.” That is what the Buddha said. Then the Holy One, the Teacher, went on to say:

“Hoti pānasakhā nāma, hoti sammiyasammiyo; Yo ca atthesu jātesu, sahāyo hoti so sakhā. Ussūraseyyā paradārasevanā, Verappasavo ca anatthatā ca; Pāpā ca mittā sukadariyatā ca, Ete cha ṭhānā purisaṁ dhaṁsayanti. Pāpamitto pāpasakho, pāpaācāragocaro; Asmā lokā paramhā ca, ubhayā dhaṁsate naro. Akkhitthiyo vāruṇī naccagītaṁ, Divā soppaṁ pāricariyā akāle; Pāpā ca mittā sukadariyatā ca, Ete cha ṭhānā purisaṁ dhaṁsayanti. Akkhehi dibbanti suraṁ pivanti, Yantitthiyo pāṇasamā paresaṁ; Nihīnasevī na ca vuddhasevī, Nihīyate kāḷapakkheva cando. Yo vāruṇī addhano akiñcano, Pipāso pivaṁ papāgato; Udakamiva iṇaṁ vigāhati, Akulaṁ kāhiti khippamattano. Na divā soppasīlena, rattimuṭṭhānadessinā; Niccaṁ mattena soṇḍena, sakkā āvasituṁ gharaṁ. Atisītaṁ atiuṇhaṁ, atisāyamidaṁ ahu; Iti vissaṭṭhakammante, atthā accenti māṇave. Yodha sītañca uṇhañca, tiṇā bhiyyo na maññati; Karaṁ purisakiccāni, so sukhaṁ na vihāyatī”ti.

“Some are just drinking buddies, some call you their dear, dear friend; but a friend in times of need is a comrade indeed. Sleeping late, adultery, making enemies, harmfulness, bad friends, and avarice: these six grounds ruin a person. With bad friends, bad comrades, bad behavior and alms-resort, a man falls to ruin in both this world and the next. Dice, women, toddy, song and dance; sleeping by day and roaming at night; bad friends, and avarice: these six grounds ruin a person. They play dice and drink beer, and consort with women loved by others. Associating with the worse, not the better, they diminish like the waning moon. One who is broke and destitute due to toddy, thirsty, drinking in the bar, drowning in debt, will quickly lose their way. When you’re in the habit of sleeping late, seeing night as time to rise, and always getting drunk, you can’t keep up the household life. ‘Too cold, too hot, too late,’ they say. When the young neglect their work like this, riches pass them by. But one who considers heat and cold as no more than blades of grass— he does his duties as a man, and happiness never fails.”

11. Mittapatirūpaka

“Cattārome, gahapatiputta, amittā mittapatirūpakā veditabbā. Aññadatthuharo amitto mittapatirūpako veditabbo, vacīparamo amitto mittapatirūpako veditabbo, anuppiyabhāṇī amitto mittapatirūpako veditabbo, apāyasahāyo amitto mittapatirūpako veditabbo.

11. Fake Friends

“Householder’s son, you should recognize these four enemies disguised as friends: the taker, the talker, the flatterer, the spender.

Catūhi kho, gahapatiputta, ṭhānehi aññadatthuharo amitto mittapatirūpako veditabbo. Aññadatthuharo hoti, appena bahumicchati; Bhayassa kiccaṁ karoti, sevati atthakāraṇā. Imehi kho, gahapatiputta, catūhi ṭhānehi aññadatthuharo amitto mittapatirūpako veditabbo.

You can recognize a fake friend who’s all take on four grounds. Your possessions end up theirs. Giving little, they expect a lot. They do their duty out of fear. They associate for their own advantage. You can recognize a fake friend who’s all take on these four grounds.

Catūhi kho, gahapatiputta, ṭhānehi vacīparamo amitto mittapatirūpako veditabbo. Atītena paṭisantharati, anāgatena paṭisantharati, niratthakena saṅgaṇhāti, paccuppannesu kiccesu byasanaṁ dasseti. Imehi kho, gahapatiputta, catūhi ṭhānehi vacīparamo amitto mittapatirūpako veditabbo.

You can recognize a fake friend who’s all talk on four grounds. They’re hospitable in the past. They’re hospitable in the future. They’re full of meaningless pleasantries. When something needs doing in the present they point to their own misfortune. You can recognize a fake friend who’s all talk on these four grounds.

Catūhi kho, gahapatiputta, ṭhānehi anuppiyabhāṇī amitto mittapatirūpako veditabbo. Pāpakampissa anujānāti, kalyāṇampissa anujānāti, sammukhāssa vaṇṇaṁ bhāsati, parammukhāssa avaṇṇaṁ bhāsati. Imehi kho, gahapatiputta, catūhi ṭhānehi anuppiyabhāṇī amitto mittapatirūpako veditabbo.

You can recognize a fake friend who’s a flatterer on four grounds. They support you equally in doing bad and doing good. They praise you to your face, and put you down behind your back. You can recognize a fake friend who’s a flatterer on these four grounds.

Catūhi kho, gahapatiputta, ṭhānehi apāyasahāyo amitto mittapatirūpako veditabbo. Surāmerayamajjappamādaṭṭhānānuyoge sahāyo hoti, vikālavisikhācariyānuyoge sahāyo hoti, samajjābhicaraṇe sahāyo hoti, jūtappamādaṭṭhānānuyoge sahāyo hoti. Imehi kho, gahapatiputta, catūhi ṭhānehi apāyasahāyo amitto mittapatirūpako veditabbo”ti. Idamavoca bhagavā. Idaṁ vatvāna sugato athāparaṁ etadavoca satthā:

You can recognize a fake friend who’s a spender on four grounds. They accompany you when drinking, roaming the street markets at night, frequenting festivals, and gambling. You can recognize a fake friend who’s a spender on these four grounds.” That is what the Buddha said. Then the Holy One, the Teacher, went on to say:

“Aññadatthuharo mitto, yo ca mitto vacīparo; Anuppiyañca yo āha, apāyesu ca yo sakhā. Ete amitte cattāro, iti viññāya paṇḍito; Ārakā parivajjeyya, maggaṁ paṭibhayaṁ yathā”ti.

“One friend is all take, another all talk; one’s just a flatterer, and one’s a comrade who spends. An astute person understands these four enemies for what they are and keeps them at a distance, as they’d shun a risky road.”

12. Suhadamitta

“Cattārome, gahapatiputta, mittā suhadā veditabbā. Upakāro mitto suhado veditabbo, samānasukhadukkho mitto suhado veditabbo, atthakkhāyī mitto suhado veditabbo, anukampako mitto suhado veditabbo.

12. Good-Hearted Friends

“Householder’s son, you should recognize these four good-hearted friends: the helper, the friend in good times and bad, the counselor, and the one who’s sympathetic.

Catūhi kho, gahapatiputta, ṭhānehi upakāro mitto suhado veditabbo. Pamattaṁ rakkhati, pamattassa sāpateyyaṁ rakkhati, bhītassa saraṇaṁ hoti, uppannesu kiccakaraṇīyesu taddiguṇaṁ bhogaṁ anuppadeti. Imehi kho, gahapatiputta, catūhi ṭhānehi upakāro mitto suhado veditabbo.

You can recognize a good-hearted friend who’s a helper on four grounds. They guard you when you’re negligent. They guard your property when you’re negligent. They keep you safe in times of danger. When something needs doing, they provide you with twice the money you need. You can recognize a good-hearted friend who’s a helper on these four grounds.

Catūhi kho, gahapatiputta, ṭhānehi samānasukhadukkho mitto suhado veditabbo. Guyhamassa ācikkhati, guyhamassa parigūhati, āpadāsu na vijahati, jīvitaṁpissa atthāya pariccattaṁ hoti. Imehi kho, gahapatiputta, catūhi ṭhānehi samānasukhadukkho mitto suhado veditabbo.

You can recognize a good-hearted friend who’s the same in good times and bad on four grounds. They tell you secrets. They keep your secrets. They don’t abandon you in times of trouble. They’d even give their life for your welfare. You can recognize a good-hearted friend who’s the same in good times and bad on these four grounds.

Catūhi kho, gahapatiputta, ṭhānehi atthakkhāyī mitto suhado veditabbo. Pāpā nivāreti, kalyāṇe niveseti, assutaṁ sāveti, saggassa maggaṁ ācikkhati. Imehi kho, gahapatiputta, catūhi ṭhānehi atthakkhāyī mitto suhado veditabbo.

You can recognize a good-hearted friend who’s a counselor on four grounds. They keep you from doing bad. They support you in doing good. They teach you what you do not know. They explain the path to heaven. You can recognize a good-hearted friend who’s a counselor on these four grounds.

Catūhi kho, gahapatiputta, ṭhānehi anukampako mitto suhado veditabbo. Abhavenassa na nandati, bhavenassa nandati, avaṇṇaṁ bhaṇamānaṁ nivāreti, vaṇṇaṁ bhaṇamānaṁ pasaṁsati. Imehi kho, gahapatiputta, catūhi ṭhānehi anukampako mitto suhado veditabbo”ti. Idamavoca bhagavā. Idaṁ vatvāna sugato athāparaṁ etadavoca satthā:

You can recognize a good-hearted friend who’s sympathetic on four grounds. They don’t delight in your misfortune. They delight in your good fortune. They keep others from criticizing you. They encourage praise of you. You can recognize a good-hearted friend who’s sympathetic on these four grounds.” That is what the Buddha said. Then the Holy One, the Teacher, went on to say:

“Upakāro ca yo mitto, sukhe dukkhe ca yo sakhā; Atthakkhāyī ca yo mitto, yo ca mittānukampako. Etepi mitte cattāro, iti viññāya paṇḍito; Sakkaccaṁ payirupāseyya, mātā puttaṁva orasaṁ; Paṇḍito sīlasampanno, jalaṁ aggīva bhāsati. Bhoge saṁharamānassa, bhamarasseva irīyato; Bhogā sannicayaṁ yanti, vammikovupacīyati. Evaṁ bhoge samāhatvā, alamatto kule gihī; Catudhā vibhaje bhoge, sa ve mittāni ganthati. Ekena bhoge bhuñjeyya, dvīhi kammaṁ payojaye; Catutthañca nidhāpeyya, āpadāsu bhavissatī”ti.

“A friend who’s a helper, one the same in both pleasure and pain, a friend of good counsel, and one of sympathy; an astute person understands these four friends for what they are and carefully looks after them, like a mother the child at her breast. The astute and virtuous shine like a burning flame. They pick up riches as bees roaming round pick up pollen. And their riches proceed to grow, like a termite mound piling up. In gathering wealth like this, a householder does enough for their family. And they’d hold on to friends by dividing their wealth in four. One portion is to enjoy. Two parts invest in work. And the fourth should be kept for times of trouble.”

13. Chaddisāpaṭicchādanakaṇḍa

“Kathañca, gahapatiputta, ariyasāvako chaddisāpaṭicchādī hoti? Cha imā, gahapatiputta, disā veditabbā. Puratthimā disā mātāpitaro veditabbā, dakkhiṇā disā ācariyā veditabbā, pacchimā disā puttadārā veditabbā, uttarā disā mittāmaccā veditabbā, heṭṭhimā disā dāsakammakarā veditabbā, uparimā disā samaṇabrāhmaṇā veditabbā.

13. Covering the Six Directions

“And how, householder’s son, does a noble disciple cover the six directions? These six directions should be recognized: parents as the east, tutors as the south, partner and children as the west, friends and colleagues as the north, bondservants and workers as beneath, and ascetics and brahmins as above.

Pañcahi kho, gahapatiputta, ṭhānehi puttena puratthimā disā mātāpitaro paccupaṭṭhātabbā— bhato ne bharissāmi, kiccaṁ nesaṁ karissāmi, kulavaṁsaṁ ṭhapessāmi, dāyajjaṁ paṭipajjāmi, atha vā pana petānaṁ kālaṅkatānaṁ dakkhiṇaṁ anuppadassāmīti. Imehi kho, gahapatiputta, pañcahi ṭhānehi puttena puratthimā disā mātāpitaro paccupaṭṭhitā pañcahi ṭhānehi puttaṁ anukampanti. Pāpā nivārenti, kalyāṇe nivesenti, sippaṁ sikkhāpenti, patirūpena dārena saṁyojenti, samaye dāyajjaṁ niyyādenti. Imehi kho, gahapatiputta, pañcahi ṭhānehi puttena puratthimā disā mātāpitaro paccupaṭṭhitā imehi pañcahi ṭhānehi puttaṁ anukampanti. Evamassa esā puratthimā disā paṭicchannā hoti khemā appaṭibhayā.

A child should serve their parents as the eastern quarter in five ways, thinking: ‘I will support those who supported me. I’ll do my duty for them. I’ll maintain the family lineage. I’ll take care of the inheritance. When they have passed away, I’ll make an offering on their behalf.’ Parents served by the children in these five ways show sympathy to them in five ways. They keep them from doing bad. They support them in doing good. They train them in a profession. They connect them with a suitable partner. They transfer the inheritance in due time. Parents served by their children in these five ways show sympathy to them in these five ways. And that’s how the eastern quarter is covered, kept safe and free of peril.

Pañcahi kho, gahapatiputta, ṭhānehi antevāsinā dakkhiṇā disā ācariyā paccupaṭṭhātabbā— uṭṭhānena upaṭṭhānena sussusāya pāricariyāya sakkaccaṁ sippapaṭiggahaṇena. Imehi kho, gahapatiputta, pañcahi ṭhānehi antevāsinā dakkhiṇā disā ācariyā paccupaṭṭhitā pañcahi ṭhānehi antevāsiṁ anukampanti— suvinītaṁ vinenti, suggahitaṁ gāhāpenti, sabbasippassutaṁ samakkhāyino bhavanti, mittāmaccesu paṭiyādenti, disāsu parittāṇaṁ karonti. Imehi kho, gahapatiputta, pañcahi ṭhānehi antevāsinā dakkhiṇā disā ācariyā paccupaṭṭhitā imehi pañcahi ṭhānehi antevāsiṁ anukampanti. Evamassa esā dakkhiṇā disā paṭicchannā hoti khemā appaṭibhayā.

A pupil should serve their tutor as the southern quarter in five ways: by rising for them, by serving them, by listening well, by looking after them, and by carefully learning their profession. Tutors served by their pupils in these five ways show sympathy to them in five ways. They make sure they’re well educated and well drilled in memorization. They clearly explain all the knowledge of the profession. They introduce them to their friends and colleagues. They provide protection in every region. Tutors served by their pupils in these five ways show sympathy to them in these five ways. And that’s how the southern quarter is covered, kept safe and free of peril.

Pañcahi kho, gahapatiputta, ṭhānehi sāmikena pacchimā disā bhariyā paccupaṭṭhātabbā— sammānanāya anavamānanāya anaticariyāya issariyavossaggena alaṅkārānuppadānena. Imehi kho, gahapatiputta, pañcahi ṭhānehi sāmikena pacchimā disā bhariyā paccupaṭṭhitā pañcahi ṭhānehi sāmikaṁ anukampati— susaṁvihitakammantā ca hoti, saṅgahitaparijanā ca, anaticārinī ca, sambhatañca anurakkhati, dakkhā ca hoti analasā sabbakiccesu. Imehi kho, gahapatiputta, pañcahi ṭhānehi sāmikena pacchimā disā bhariyā paccupaṭṭhitā imehi pañcahi ṭhānehi sāmikaṁ anukampati. Evamassa esā pacchimā disā paṭicchannā hoti khemā appaṭibhayā.

A husband should serve his wife as the western quarter in five ways: by treating her with honor, by not looking down on her, by not being unfaithful, by relinquishing authority to her, and by presenting her with adornments. A wife served by her husband in these five ways shows sympathy to him in five ways. She’s well-organized in her work. She manages the domestic help. She’s not unfaithful. She preserves his earnings. She’s deft and tireless in all her duties. A wife served by her husband in these five ways shows sympathy to him in these five ways. And that’s how the western quarter is covered, kept safe and free of peril.

Pañcahi kho, gahapatiputta, ṭhānehi kulaputtena uttarā disā mittāmaccā paccupaṭṭhātabbā— dānena peyyavajjena atthacariyāya samānattatāya avisaṁvādanatāya. Imehi kho, gahapatiputta, pañcahi ṭhānehi kulaputtena uttarā disā mittāmaccā paccupaṭṭhitā pañcahi ṭhānehi kulaputtaṁ anukampanti— pamattaṁ rakkhanti, pamattassa sāpateyyaṁ rakkhanti, bhītassa saraṇaṁ honti, āpadāsu na vijahanti, aparapajā cassa paṭipūjenti. Imehi kho, gahapatiputta, pañcahi ṭhānehi kulaputtena uttarā disā mittāmaccā paccupaṭṭhitā imehi pañcahi ṭhānehi kulaputtaṁ anukampanti. Evamassa esā uttarā disā paṭicchannā hoti khemā appaṭibhayā.

A gentleman should serve his friends and colleagues as the northern quarter in five ways: giving, kindly words, taking care, equality, and not using tricky words. Friends and colleagues served by a gentleman in these five ways show sympathy to him in five ways. They guard him when they’re negligent. They guard his property when they’re negligent. They keep him safe in times of danger. They don’t abandon him in times of trouble. They honor his descendants. Friends and colleagues served by a gentleman in these five ways show sympathy to him in these five ways. And that’s how the northern quarter is covered, kept safe and free of peril.

Pañcahi kho, gahapatiputta, ṭhānehi ayyirakena heṭṭhimā disā dāsakammakarā paccupaṭṭhātabbā— yathābalaṁ kammantasaṁvidhānena bhattavetanānuppadānena gilānupaṭṭhānena acchariyānaṁ rasānaṁ saṁvibhāgena samaye vossaggena. Imehi kho, gahapatiputta, pañcahi ṭhānehi ayyirakena heṭṭhimā disā dāsakammakarā paccupaṭṭhitā pañcahi ṭhānehi ayyirakaṁ anukampanti— pubbuṭṭhāyino ca honti, pacchā nipātino ca, dinnādāyino ca, sukatakammakarā ca, kittivaṇṇaharā ca. Imehi kho, gahapatiputta, pañcahi ṭhānehi ayyirakena heṭṭhimā disā dāsakammakarā paccupaṭṭhitā imehi pañcahi ṭhānehi ayyirakaṁ anukampanti. Evamassa esā heṭṭhimā disā paṭicchannā hoti khemā appaṭibhayā.

A master should serve their bondservants and workers as the lower quarter in five ways: by organizing work according to ability, by paying food and wages, by nursing them when sick, by sharing special treats, and by giving time off work. Bondservants and workers served by a master in these five ways show sympathy to him in five ways. They get up first, and go to bed last. They don’t steal. They do their work well. And they promote a good reputation. Bondservants and workers served by a master in these five ways show sympathy to him in these five ways. And that’s how the lower quarter is covered, kept safe and free of peril.

Pañcahi kho, gahapatiputta, ṭhānehi kulaputtena uparimā disā samaṇabrāhmaṇā paccupaṭṭhātabbā— mettena kāyakammena mettena vacīkammena mettena manokammena anāvaṭadvāratāya āmisānuppadānena. Imehi kho, gahapatiputta, pañcahi ṭhānehi kulaputtena uparimā disā samaṇabrāhmaṇā paccupaṭṭhitā chahi ṭhānehi kulaputtaṁ anukampanti— pāpā nivārenti, kalyāṇe nivesenti, kalyāṇena manasā anukampanti, assutaṁ sāventi, sutaṁ pariyodāpenti, saggassa maggaṁ ācikkhanti. Imehi kho, gahapatiputta, pañcahi ṭhānehi kulaputtena uparimā disā samaṇabrāhmaṇā paccupaṭṭhitā imehi chahi ṭhānehi kulaputtaṁ anukampanti. Evamassa esā uparimā disā paṭicchannā hoti khemā appaṭibhayā”ti. Idamavoca bhagavā. Idaṁ vatvāna sugato athāparaṁ etadavoca satthā:

A gentleman should serve ascetics and brahmins as the upper quarter in five ways: by loving deeds of body, speech, and mind, by not turning them away at the gate, and by providing them with material needs. Ascetics and brahmins served by a gentleman in these five ways show sympathy to him in six ways. They keep him from doing bad. They support him in doing good. They think of him with kindly thoughts. They teach him what he does not know. They clarify what he’s already learned. They explain the path to heaven. Ascetics and brahmins served by a gentleman in these five ways show sympathy to him in these six ways. And that’s how the upper quarter is covered, kept safe and free of peril.” That is what the Buddha said. Then the Holy One, the Teacher, went on to say:

“Mātāpitā disā pubbā, ācariyā dakkhiṇā disā; Puttadārā disā pacchā, mittāmaccā ca uttarā. Dāsakammakarā heṭṭhā, uddhaṁ samaṇabrāhmaṇā; Etā disā namasseyya, alamatto kule gihī. Paṇḍito sīlasampanno, saṇho ca paṭibhānavā; Nivātavutti atthaddho, tādiso labhate yasaṁ. Uṭṭhānako analaso, āpadāsu na vedhati; Acchinnavutti medhāvī, tādiso labhate yasaṁ. Saṅgāhako mittakaro, vadaññū vītamaccharo; Netā vinetā anunetā, tādiso labhate yasaṁ. Dānañca peyyavajjañca, atthacariyā ca yā idha; Samānattatā ca dhammesu, tattha tattha yathārahaṁ; Ete kho saṅgahā loke, rathassāṇīva yāyato. Ete ca saṅgahā nāssu, na mātā puttakāraṇā; Labhetha mānaṁ pūjaṁ vā, pitā vā puttakāraṇā. Yasmā ca saṅgahā ete, sammapekkhanti paṇḍitā; Tasmā mahattaṁ papponti, pāsaṁsā ca bhavanti te”ti.

“Parents are the east, tutors the south, wives and child the west, friends and colleagues the north, servants and workers below, and ascetics and brahmins above. By honoring these quarters a householder does enough for their family. The astute and the virtuous, the gentle and the articulate, the placid in manner and the amenable: they’re the kind who win glory. The diligent, not lazy, those not disturbed by troubles, those consistent in conduct, the intelligent: they’re the kind who win glory. The inclusive, the makers of friends, the bountiful, those rid of stinginess, those who lead, train, and persuade: they’re the kind who win glory. Giving and kindly words, taking care here, and treating equally in worldly conditions, as they deserve in each case; these ways of being inclusive in the world are like a moving chariot’s linchpin. If there were no such ways of being inclusive, neither mother nor father would be respected and honored for what they’ve done for their children. But since these ways of being inclusive do exist, the astute do regard them well, so they achieve greatness and are praised.”

Evaṁ vutte, siṅgālako gahapatiputto bhagavantaṁ etadavoca: “abhikkantaṁ, bhante, abhikkantaṁ, bhante. Seyyathāpi, bhante, nikkujjitaṁ vā ukkujjeyya, paṭicchannaṁ vā vivareyya, mūḷhassa vā maggaṁ ācikkheyya, andhakāre vā telapajjotaṁ dhāreyya ‘cakkhumanto rūpāni dakkhantī’ti; evamevaṁ bhagavatā anekapariyāyena dhammo pakāsito. Esāhaṁ, bhante, bhagavantaṁ saraṇaṁ gacchāmi dhammañca bhikkhusaṅghañca. Upāsakaṁ maṁ bhagavā dhāretu, ajjatagge pāṇupetaṁ saraṇaṁ gatan”ti.

When this was said, Sigālaka the householder’s son said to the Buddha, “Excellent, sir! Excellent! As if he were righting the overturned, or revealing the hidden, or pointing out the path to the lost, or lighting a lamp in the dark so people with clear eyes can see what’s there, the Buddha has made the teaching clear in many ways. I go for refuge to the Buddha, to the teaching, and to the mendicant Saṅgha. From this day forth, may the Buddha remember me as a lay follower who has gone for refuge for life.”